Final Fantasy XV - Kingdom Hearts
Part 36
Summary: Two warriors of Light, the Chosen King and Keyblade Master, face an unseen Darkness.
Following the messenger of the Oracle with trepidation in her steps, nervousness coiling within her stomach walking into secretary's estate in secrecy.
The numerous letters exchanged helped paint the Oracle in the princess's mind, yet a feeling of anxiousness still gripped her, questions piling up in her mind as Kairi said nothing to the woman in black. Despite how serene and almost gentle the woman appeared, this aura around her felt inhuman. Not darkness like she had sensed from Ardyn, but her light was odd too in a way she couldn't describe.
She hadn't uttered a word to the girl since she requested her to meet with her Oracle. On the one hand, Kairi was grateful for the silence between them to help calm her nerves, yet on the other, she felt danger was looming near her, like a pack of wild dogs slowly stalking her. The corridor they were in was devoid of any other life, not even a single guard among them which only furthered her worries. If what Noctis said was true about them being on their own when the time comes and if that Camelia woman did intend on handing over the Oracle to the empire, then Kairi would be trapped.
'She waits for thee in here'.
Kairi's train of thought was broken, looking at Gentiana facing her on the other side of the door. Glancing at the door and then back to the woman, who remained still, she presumed she is just supposed to enter it. With inhale to relax her nerves, Kairi entered the room.
Inside she was welcomed by the smells of a flower she couldn't place yet it helped soothe her nerves, the quiet felt tranquil like a library of sorts and she felt this warmth from the room. It was very spacious, almost like the hotel rooms back in the Galdin Quay just not as homely and inviting, it felt more office-like. The color schemes certainly had the secretary feel to it with the dark turquoise color, several shelves adorned with books.
Three lounge chairs with a small table in the middle of all three with a large ceramic plate of posh-looking cups and teapots.
There sitting on her lounge chair, was Lunafreya, a book delicately placed on her lap. Closing the door gently behind her as the Oracle looked up to greet her visitor with a gentle smile that magically calmed Kairi. 'You have arrived safely, I assume?', she said, her voice sounded almost like how Kairi imagined, reading her letter.
Closing the book softly and placing it on her table nearby, she stood and approached Kairi. The redhead felt this essence from her, a light that she hadn't ever felt before. It was comparable to something like Sephiroth, but where's his darkness was inhuman, Lunafreya's light felt so warm and pure, like a divinity from the heavens. Or better yet, call her arrogant some may, it was almost like her own. When she stood before the princess, Lunafreya gave her a bow. 'It is a pleasure to finally meet you face to face, Kairi', she greeted warmly.
Kairi bowed politely in response to her, saying: 'It's nice to finally meet you too, your grace'. Lunafreya smiled softly while shaking her head. 'Please, call me Luna', she requested softly, 'I believe, however short, we are more acquainted to be on friendlier terms'. Kairi smiled back, nodding, following the woman's request warmly. 'Okay then, Luna', she said, grinning. The woman's smile was warm and gentle, almost familiar to the princess.
With a gesture, she guided Kairi to the table in the room, pouring her some tea that smelled wonderful. 'I apologize for the lack of variety of consumables', the Oracle said, 'The secretary could only do so much'. 'I'm just happy we can finally meet after our little note exchanges', Kairi assured kindly as she picked up her saucer and cup. Sipping the wonderous tea quietly, Kairi could feel her worries fade away slowly and calmly as the Oracle settled in her seat.
'This is amazing', Kairi praised, 'What sort of tea is it?'. Lunafreya smiled and said: 'It's a Tenebrae brand tea, the only thing I ask for these days'. Closing her eyes, relishing the fragile peace between them before the storm of chaos that will soon unfold. Opening her eyes, the Oracle said: 'I assume you have questions for me'. Kairi quietly sipped her tea before she lowered it and frowned, wishing this meeting wasn't weighed down by the severity of their predicament.
She could sense this was indeed reciprocated with Lunafreya as her smiles dwindled to nothing but the look of an Oracle, duty taken seriously with vigilance. Kairi placed the cup down and settled her hands on her knees as the Oracle did the same. 'You know about other worlds…and you knew the old saying', Kairi stated. 'Yes', Lunafreya confessed, 'I have known about other worlds, long before you and the others had arrived at Eos'.
'But how? Other worlds are meant to be a secret', Kairi asked. 'They are meant to be. Worlds ignorant of each other, yet you have met many who knew about the outside worlds, haven't you?', Lunafreya asked. Thinking as best as she could the redhead did recall several people outside of the Organization who knew about them, a certain evil witch came to mind, a bumbling idiot, her friends and of course herself.
'I know you have not met him yourself; you wouldn't have been born around then but…I believe your master knew him', she said. 'Master Eraqus'.
Kairi was thankful she had placed the saucer and cup down on the table, otherwise, she knew she would have dropped it. 'Eraqus? As in, Aqua's Eraqus!?', Kairi gasped. 'That's right, he came to us years ago when I was a child', she revealed, putting her cup onto the table. 'W-Why? Did something happen?', Kairi asked. 'No, believe it or not, he was as he said: "Exploring our world". He came and went for the most part', she says. 'Twenty years ago, to be exact; he aided his majesty King Regis Lucis Caelum during the war'.
'The war between Lucis and empire?', Kairi asked.
'That's right. Though he was an observer for a time before he bonded with his majesty', Lunafreya said. 'He tried to stay out of it, meddling was prohibited among the keyblade masters, but he grew curious, and the more he spent time here, the more he slowly became part of the world'. 'He stayed on Eos?', Kairi asked, 'Aqua's never told us that'. 'I believe Aqua may not have much memory of her master's dalliances with other world affairs', Lunafreya giggled softly. 'He was quite secretive when it came to other worlds'.
Kairi could believe that much. As Lunafreya told her more, a thought occurred in the back of Kairi's mind, she wondered just how much her master did Aqua know about. She never talked about Eraqus before, granted she's never asked, but still even Donald and Goofy would talk about their king's adventures, Riku told them too.
From what Lunafreya told Kairi, she learned Eraqus made frequent trips to Eos, lending a hand here for Regis now and then whilst maintaining his other world status. Eight years later she finally got to meet the man from another world, along with Noctis when he was in the hospital. It was there Kairi learned how Lunafreya and Noctis first met, and almost saw a girlish smile on the Oracle's face that made the redhead grinned.
When Eraqus met them, she told Kairi he knew there was something unique about both children, what it was she didn't know back then but now it made sense to her. Eraqus told them about other worlds, more so to Lunafreya after he learned what an Oracle is, and Kairi deduced that like herself meeting Aqua for the first time, she must have forgotten about all of it, Noctis may have forgotten everything Eraqus had told him.
'When the empire took our land, Eraqus came to visit me for the last time. He offered to sprit me away to Noctis…but I could not abandon my brother to save myself. It was why I choose to remain within the empire's grip', she said. 'Then why didn't Eraqus rescue both of you? If he was as strong as Aqua says, then the empire wouldn't have been able to stop him!', Kairi questioned. Lunafreya frowned in thought before she shook her head.
'I do not hold ill to him, I know if he had nothing to lose, he would have done it so. But it was around then, he took in two apprentices that he adored as his own', Lunafreya smiled as she said this, 'Those two claimed his heart after all'.
Kairi lowered her head down, not exactly disagreeing with Lunafreya's words for certain but still. To spend that long with the empire, what sort of terrible punishment she had endured from those monsters. Did Eraqus feel remorse for his action she wondered, maybe he didn't tell Aqua this because he fear she'd blame herself for damning Lunafreya to a life under the thumbs of the empire? Frowning with pain Kairi pushed those thoughts aside. 'So that's how you knew about other worlds? Eraqus just told you?'.
'For the most part', Lunafreya said. 'I suppose he wanted to prepare me for the rites, knowing what will come in my life'. Then the Oracle frowned as she clasped her necklace. 'Yet, I remember Eraqus returned to Insomnia after meeting me for the final time…Noctis wrote the man said some, in his words: "Luna talk", she giggled and earned a snicker from Kairi, 'But then after that, Noctis never saw him again'.
Shaking her head, the woman said: 'I suppose I should feel privileged, I'm one of the very few who knew about other worlds. Revealed to me by a master no less'. Kairi nodded in agreement, a smidge jealous.
Lunafreya gave the girl a knowing smile. 'But you always knew about other worlds, because you've lived in two, haven't you?', she says. Kairi blinked in surprise, eyeing her. 'How did you know?', she says. Lunafreya smiles softly as she closed her eyes, then when she re-opened them, for a moment what Kairi saw was not the Oracle, but rather a face she had not seen in a long time. Soft blond hair that drapes across her left shoulder, rosy cheeks, and pale, pink lips.
'N-Naminé?', she gasped.
The girl smiled softly before Lunafreya's looks returned as she sat up properly, the redhead left in complete bafflement. 'How…how is she doing this?', she asked. Lunafreya placed a hand on her heart. 'That my dear requires some explanation on my part', she stated. 'Do you remember the Station of Awakening? I believe it was right when you first lost consciousness'. Thinking back to the past two months, she slowly recalled that place, surrounded by darkness with only the smallest glimmer of light shining down on her like a beacon of hope.
The murals that showed her heart, how far she had come and what it looked like on the inside. Yet the memories were vague, nothing seemed to jump out at her. Then she recalled the stone platform that carried that small light, and when she looked to Lunafreya, something within her clicked. 'That light…was yours', she said, confused but somehow understanding. 'Yes. For that moment, Naminé was able to transport a part of her heart to connect with my own', Lunafreya elaborates, 'My connection to Noctis must have somehow reached her own, and she, in turn, guided my light to you'.
'How? Naminé never did any of this before', Kairi questioned, 'Also, I always felt her in my heart before, why didn't I notice hers was in two?'. Lunafreya placed a hand on her heart and took a breath. 'Because of our light. We share a similar one that few can share, and it was passed on to me merely a few months before your arrival', she spoke. 'A light…similar between us…?', Kairi mused. 'You must have sensed it when you came in here, did you not?', Luna asked.
The Oracle slowly raised her hand and formed a sphere of pure light, her hands glowed in a golden warmth of light. Slowly after receiving an encouraging nod from the Oracle, Kairi placed her hand on hers, and then the light slowly entered her hand and trailed down her arm into her heart. The warmth of it was something she could only compare to the safety of Sora's arms; a light so pure and divine no darkness could taint it…
Her eyes widened with realization. 'Y-You're…', she gasped. 'I am one of the next Princesses of Light, the fifth', Lunafreya revealed. Kairi stared at her, unable to wrap this new vital information around her mind. 'W-When did…', she stammered, but the Oracle spoke: 'Before Noctis set off to meet me in Altissia, I felt a powerful divinity racing within my heart, and I knew it was my time to become one of the few who carry the divine light'. Placing a hand upon her heart, she smiled. 'Naminé has been helping me discover more its properties, how I can connect to those with similar lights, and even help me with forging covenants'.
'Noctis said it was supposed to be dangerous to you, is it?', Kairi asked. The Oracle nodded with a sullen look, lowering her eyes down to her knees. 'Yes…and this one will take more from me. The Tidemother's wrath will be the most destructive, her rage cannot be taken lightly'. Kairi leaned forward. 'But why? Does Noctis need her blessing?', Kairi questioned. Even a glance at the woman told the redhead she was weary and ill, the light within her was flickering weakly from all this strain.
'It is pre-ordained…for Noctis to fulfill his destiny as the Chosen King of Light', Lunafreya revealed with admiration, but Kairi heard that sadness akin to her own when she lost Sora for the first time. A pain deep within her heart that ran so deep it was practically part of her. 'For Noctis to reclaim his throne, and bring peace back to our world, he must obtain this power, and as the Oracle, I must fulfill this task'.
'But if you keep that up…then you'll…', Kairi said, unable to finish her sentence as the Oracle kept a calm smile on her face. 'I know', she sighs with serenity. 'Tell me, Kairi. If there was a way for Sora to save all worlds, but for that to happen you must place yourself in harm's way, slowly killing you, would you do it for him?'.
Kairi took out her good luck charm while thinking on the question, holding it with both hands, her thumb rubbing the smooth shell. The question was a no brainer to her, thinking on how many times Sora had put himself in harm's way for her, for others and putting their well-being above his own. The scar on his chest, all for her. 'I would do it in a heartbeat', she says, but then she looks to the Oracle with defiance. 'But I know Sora, and Noctis would sooner lose their hearts to the darkness than put those they love in harm's way'.
Lunafreya looked at her guest with eyes widened as Kairi took her hands and placed it on her charm. 'This charm represents a bond between me and Sora, that no matter where we go, what we see, we will always be a part of each other's hearts', she explained. Smiling warmly at the Oracle, 'That notebook between you and Noctis is like our charm, a small thing that keeps you connected'. Lunafreya looked at the charm in their hands, a wonderous light touched her palms and filled her with warmth. The same warmth and joy she felt when she reads her love's words, always wondering what he sounds like and how he'd react to her words.
Knowing her fate, and the fear of never seeing him again, even if it was just but a mere minute of her time she would cherish all the seconds she had to spent with him. 'I don't know about becoming the Chosen King, the astrals plans or whatever else you have to do and why…but I know that want to protect those you love, and if you're committed to this…then I want to help', Kairi offered. Lunafreya gave the girl a small grateful smile and said: 'Then be my sword, help me forge the covenant with the Tidemother'.
'I'll be your sword…but not for that reason', Kairi said with a smile. The Oracle's smile shifted into confusion before Kairi clasped her hand and said: 'I'll be your sword…so that you can see Noctis again'.
Lunafreya's face changed to surprise, then she closed her eyes and smiled, tears running down her cheeks. 'Y-you…you can't…', she sniffled, before she laughed. Kairi held her hands tighter and said: 'You've been doing this on your own for a while, but Naminé's helped you, and now it's our turn to help carry that weight, right?'. As the Oracle faced the redhead, she sees Naminé's ethereal form standing near her with a smile of her own, encouraging the Oracle to take this chance to fulfill her duty with friends by her side.
With a teary smile and nod, she whispered: 'Thank you…'.
*Later*
Camelia had arrived sooner than Kairi thought, and likely behind the imperials were just waiting for her to leave the room so that they can "escort" the Oracle to the temple of the Tidemother.
Standing beside Lunafreya like a sworn guardian would, Kairi kept her face neutral and passive as Camelia had started to speak with Lunafreya. The old woman certainly gave the princess a look that said, "You shouldn't be here", but the princess refused to cower underneath a withering glance such as hers. Angry Aqua is far more terrifying, and that was just from observing her when *you're* not under it.
Regardless of the third (fourth courtesy of Ghost Naminé) addition to this meeting, the secretary resumed the discussions between her and the Oracle. As the redhead predicted, like Noctis, the woman is mostly concerned with the well-being of her citizens and while again she may have no love for the empire itself, getting directly involved was out of the question. She tells the two that Noctis and the others had agreed to the terms of protecting the people, and assurance to the Oracle she will still be able to perform the rite after her speech.
'If worse comes to worst, you can always threaten to throw the trident into the sea. Then they'll listen', Camelia offered, her tone neutral like Kairi expected. 'In the meantime, it will be well guarded'. Then she glanced to Kairi subtly but just enough for the keyblade wielder to see her unimpressed and condescending look. 'Better than the Oracle herself', she said glancing back to Lunafreya. Holding back her frown Kairi said nothing.
'If only she knew you could take on every guard under her command and still kick their keisters~', Naminé giggled, winking at the redhead.
'Rest assured, next to Noctis' Crownsguard, I cannot think of anyone more suited to escort me to the temple other than Kairi', Lunafreya said coolly and proper like the royalty she is. 'I will reclaim the trident at the altar'.
'Just remember, you will be under imperial watch', Camelia reminded while adjusting herself on the chair. 'Of course,', Lunafreya says. 'Think of it as a necessary evil to forge the covenant', Camelia said, looking at her hands as if the whole ordeal was a nuisance. The princess despised how casual in indifferent the woman is acting, especially when she is playing with Lunafreya's safety and the risks of what the empire is willing to take is not a laughing matter. Yet Lunafreya merely bowed her head and said: 'We are in your debt'.
'Thank you for putting us back in the hands of the empire', Naminé ridiculed, scowling at the secretary. Having an ethereal former nobody certainly had its perks Kairi was noticing. Raising her head to face the secretary, Kairi could see the will of the Oracle had grown stronger, eyes resolute with determination. 'Once it's over, you may go as you wish. But you do so without our protection', Camelia warned.
'So be it', Lunafreya confirmed, 'If all goes well, I will find myself in the party of King Noctis and his party'. "It *will* go well". Kairi thought strongly, pushing down her anxiety over the ordeal. Bowing slightly to the Oracle, Camelia got off her chair saying: 'Then you had better be going. Your public awaits'. Without another word the woman leaves the room but no sooner did the doors close on her, it bursts open again and storming into the room were the imperial soldiers.
Kairi almost summoned her keyblade in retaliation but Naminé shook her head quickly, halting the princess of light from doing anything reckless. As the soldiers surrounded the two, one soldier aimed at Kairi with the full intent of putting her down. 'She is my guardian, and is not to be harmed', Lunafreya declared with fire in her eyes. 'You will treat her as you treat me during this escort, and if any harm comes to her by your hand, the consequences will be far worse than whatever his Radiance can do'.
The soldier aiming at Kairi slowly backed off, lowering the gun only slightly to her stomach as the others kept their weapons trained on the Oracle, slowly standing up. With confidence in her stride, she pushed the gun trained on her aside and spoke: 'Kairi, we are going'. Without a word Kairi followed closely by her side, her fears quelled for now as she followed the woman in virgin white. As her heart beats softly with her friend's showing in her mind, she strode with the Oracle confidently.
*Outside the Altar*
Nervously pacing in the middle of the gathering of people just outside, Sora was clenching and unclenching his fists whilst Noctis is talking on the phone with the others. 'You guys in position?', Prompto asks. 'Yeah, but unless we hear from Kairi I think Sora's gonna go off looking for her…and maybe tear the city apart before the Tidemother shows up', Noctis informs, glancing at the antsy looking younger boy.
'Tell him to not forget the plan', Gladiolus says, 'Everyone else is already waiting for all this to get started'. 'Same to all of you', Noctis said back with a smirk. 'Of course,', replied Ignis, 'But you mind yourself, you'll be in thick of it all'. 'Just as well I'm bringing back up', Noctis says with confidence. He hangs up after and looks to the boy still pacing, running a hand through his spiky locks. Despite retaining a calm form in that he was just standing and waiting, Noctis isn't going to pretend Kairi's absence didn't worry him to a degree, not Sora's mind you.
He trusted Gentiana to just bring Kairi to Lunafreya certainly, but he hoped she'd bring her back as well. Or even if there is a need, which given the empire's record is an understandable precaution, she could at least let the girl give them a warning. They gave her their numbers for a good reason after all…
'Where is she?', Sora asked, talking to himself, crossing his arms. He yanked out his phone to see if she messaged him or left a voice mail but all he could see was a blank screen with nothing missed. Furthering his worries. He felt a pat on his shoulder and looked to see Noctis gesturing the altar. 'I'm sure she's fine, right now we've got bigger things to look out for', he said, gesturing the large crowd. Sora opened his mouth but then sighed in defeat as he shoves his phone back into his pocket and followed Noctis.
Swimming through the ocean of people to get close and blend in at the same time, the prince and wielder of the key found themselves in the middle of the sea of attendees just in time to see the people applauding with cheers ringing from them.
Walking towards the podium with the grace of a queen, there was Lunafreya. Trailing close behind her was Kairi, eyes fixed on her charge while her face was as passive as it could be. Sora looked at Kairi with relief in his eyes, seeing no harm had befallen her and judging from the lack of imperials they were for now safe. He looked to Noctis to see the utter relief in his own blue eyes, fixed on the woman on the stand with warmth.
'Dear friends,', greeted the Oracle, the cheers silencing out of respect. 'I stand before you today with little hope the words, I speak…shall reach beyond these walls'. She paused for a moment, either to prepare herself for she must say next or to give the people a chance to prepare for what is to come forth. As she did, Noctis and Sora quickly though subtly snuck deeper into the crowd to get closer to the girls.
'For slowly, but surely, the Light fades from our world', Lunafreya reveals, her voice was so powerful, yet the sadness was not going unnoticed. Sora could feel the emotion she was trying too hard to convey to someone, to give assurances to those where she had none of her own. 'And as it does, the shadow shall loom ever longer until all succumbs to the darkness', she says. This made the boys look at each other before Noctis mouthed "heartless" to the boy, yet Sora shook his head, uncertain.
The Oracle clasped her necklace as she finished that sentence, eyes closed as she composed herself. Behind her, Kairi kept herself in control and it tested her will to not run out and hug the poor woman. The world didn't need to see their beloved Oracle to be afraid or wither away to a whimpering pup, they needed to see there is hope for the world despite this terrible darkness that threatened their world. 'Darkness that evokes terror, hatred, and sorrow within the hearts of man', she continued.
The ashes of Lucis…', she says, and for a moment all could hear the heartache within it. She looks to see Noctis, addressing that pain to him as his own eyes go softer and showed her his grief, his pain. Composing herself, Lunafreya continued: 'A dream of peace twisted into a nightmare of death and destruction, claiming innumerable lives and leaving a myriad of souls to suffer'. The Oracle fought back those memories; on the day she bore witness to the fall of Insomnia.
The lives lost, both in service to the king and those of the common folk, the destruction of a peaceful city. The falsehood of peace forsaken for lust of power, greed consuming the heart of a once-loved emperor. The lives given to save hers, the duty to carry the burdens of the father to give the wayward son his legacy. She nearly sheds a tear of that memory but swallows her pain. 'Yet, I beg you, do not surrender to despair', she pleaded.
Thinking back to Kairi's words, and one look at the chosen wielder of the keyblade before her, the embers of hope slowly kindled and grew within her heart. 'Have faith, for the gods that watch over us', she says, looking at her people, 'By their blessings, by the Stars that light the heavens above, our world will be delivered from the perils of the dark'.
Clutching the sides of the podium, she glances at her people with faith renewed. 'I stand before you here, in Altissia, to call upon Leviathan, Goddess of the Seas, spirit of the deep. By the sacred rite, I will commune with the Hydraean', she declares. Many of her people looked to one another, whispers of concern about invoking the Hydraean and likely facing her wrath. After what Titan was capable of back then, Noctis couldn't fault the people's worries or fears about their home becoming a watery ruin.
'But first, I offer you my solemn vow', she speaks, silencing the worries of the people for a moment. 'I swear, on my honor as Oracle, I will not rest until the darkness is banished from our world and the Light is restored'.
The people cheered her name, praises and prayers sang for this woman. Their faith in her strengthened, their hearts one with her plight. Yet despite the vast amount of people before her, Lunafreya's eyes locked with the one person they desperately wanted to see for so many years, and there within the crowd next to the warrior of light, she sees him. Noctis stares at her as he unknowingly sheds a tear for her, her voice reaching his heart.
With a nod and a smile that only Noctis would ever be blessed to receive, she uttered "Bless you all" for one more time before she turned to the altar as her people prayed for her. Noctis took a deep breath to calm himself, he turned to see even Sora's cheek was wet with a tear of his own. The boy, however, had his eyes not on the Oracle but his divine light herself. As the Oracle passed Kairi, she glanced back to Sora with a smile.
Gently she lifted her Oathkeeper, reminding him of the promise between them. With a nod and a thumbs up from the girl, Kairi turned to follow the Oracle.
Slowly the crowd starts to disperse, in time for Noctis to receive a phone call from Ignis. He nods quickly and says something that Sora didn't hear. 'Its time', Noctis declared. Sora looks at him then to the skies to see a plague of imperial ships looming over the city of water.
Sora and Noctis turned to the armada of ships coming in. 'Iggy says they're closing in on the docks', Noctis warns. 'What about the civilians?', Sora asks, not taking his gaze off the ships. 'They others got them covered…', Noctis assures, 'We've just got to do our part, I'll find a vantage point to wait for Leviathan'. Noctis turns to Sora. 'You sure you got this?'. With an affirming nod, Sora summons his keyblade. 'Leave those ships to me', he says confidently.
No more words exchanged between the two, Noctis quickly made his way out of the crowd while Sora ran to his task at hand…
*Altar*
As Kairi stands near one of the stone arches, she listens to the wonderful voice of the Oracle singing to the Leviathan, trident held in her hand as she sings to the beast. In her hands is the Oathkeeper keyblade. As the Oracle's wonderful song comes to an end, a distorted voice rang out. Kairi flinched in pain from the intensity of the voice, it was audible gibberish of all things that rang so loudly in her head it made her fear it'd split her skull in half.
'What fool mortal dares break the slumber of the Tide!?', the goddess of the seas bellows, only for Lunafreya to understand. Standing tall, the Oracle proclaimed: 'It is I, Lunafreya, blood of the Oracle! Goddess of the Seas, I beseech you: enter this covenant that the King might reclaim the Stone!'.
There is a silence before a massive torrent of water rockets from below, sailing through the torrent high into the sky is the Goddess of the Seas, Leviathan. She was gigantic, Kairi would even say she could stretch from Insomnia to possibly Hammerhead with how long she is, her large fins splashed small tsunamis across the place. Leviathan unleashed a screech that shook the ground and nearly knocked Kairi off her feet, yet Lunafreya didn't so much as flinch from the soundwave.
As the Goddess loomed over the two princesses of light, it spoke once more to the Oracle: 'This wretched pile of bone and flesh, ignorant of that which governs All, comes to requisition the might of a goddess?'. The condescending arrogance in the beast is not unexpected, the Oracle knew the beast's views on humanity was low, to the point of pure utter disdain for them. Yet she stood firm. 'I do', she answered.
Surrounding the Leviathan were four airships, just as Noctis ran down a corridor to find a vantage point get a view of the beast. On his phone conversing with the others. 'Noct, the rite has begun! The Hydraean has awoken!', Aqua said into the phone. 'And the civilians?', he asked as he turned a corner.
'Me and Gladio have just gotten them onto the escape vessels, we're making our way through the city now!', she explained. 'Great, everyone else?', he asked. 'Riku and I are nearing the docks right now, we've encountered a squadron of magiteks, delay inevitable!', Ignis answered. 'Got it. Prompto?'.
'We're in a fight, but we'll catch up!', assured the blond. 'Where's Kairi and Sora?', he asked. 'Kairi's with Luna, probably acting as a bodyguard for her!', Noctis said, 'Least Luna's got some protection while we deal with the empire!'. 'And Sora?', Goofy asked. 'Doing what he does best, gotta go!'.
Noctis ran on after hanging up his phone and in time to run into two soldiers. They aimed the prince only for Noctis to warp strike one by plunging two daggers into its chest. Appearing in a blue light whilst stabbed into the false excuse for a human, he yanked out a dagger and tossed it at the other's head, piercing the bucket helmet and killing it. Jumping off the dead soldier he ran onwards.
Running around a corner and out to the balcony of the building, Noctis sees three soldiers rushing towards him. 'Don't have time for this!', he grunts before summoning the Sword of the Tall and rushing in.
With one cleave he smashed the blade into a soldier and sent it flying off the balcony before he warp struck the other, utterly ripping it apart like it was made of paper. He warped to the top of the pillar to get away from the firing shots of the remaining soldier. He flipped off the pillar and summoned his spear whilst he was over the soldier in the air. Landing back on his feet behind the slow soldier, Noctis pierced its torso with one thrust of his spear.
Dismissing his weapon to run on into another corridor, he warped past three soldiers that tried to ambush him. When he was five feet from them, he flings a magic flask of lightning at them before proceeding to run on ahead to strike down more soldiers. The flask exploded behind him and decimated the soldiers as he summoned his engine blade to hack and slash his way past the soldiers, tearing their mechanical bodies to pieces and reduce them into scrap metal.
Running outside the building back onto another balcony, he sees the Leviathan in its full furious glory, arching backward to let out a loud shriek from its mouth.
'What does a lowly, ephemeral speck know of All Creation!?', the goddess roars. She swings her head towards the Oracle, destroying the pillars and archway above her. Yet Kairi quickly stepped in and erected a barrier around the two of them to shield the Oracle from harm. As the rocks fell and the goddess stood tall once more, Kairi dismissed her barrier but refused to leave Lunafreya's side. The Oracle stood firm, stomping the end of the trident into the ground.
'I know what you must know- that the King of Kings is to drive the darkness from our star!', Lunafreya challenged.
Leviathan, however, is unmoved by this woman's claims as large balls of water formed near her. They burst into large spikes of water and charged towards the two. Kairi erected the barrier again but the force behind the water spikes broke her barrier instantly, splashing them both with the force of a speeding car. On her knees with the trident supporting her as Kairi staggered to get back to her feet, Lunafreya coughed out the water that spilled into her mouth before, weakly, she rose to her feet in pain.
Her dress torn on her left with the straps of her left were nearly reduced to rags with a large red mark on her shoulder, Kairi only getting a single cut across her cheek. Her clothes were more durable and only suffered watermarks from the Goddess' wrath. As they stood together against the Leviathan, the Goddess bellowed: 'Blasphemous ingrates, all men, quick to forget the ages their goddess stood watch!'.
Stepping forward to the spot she stood before though with her pain escalating, Lunafreya glared at the Goddess. 'It is in receiving mercy that men offer praise, and shedding grace that the gods solicit worship', she says.
'Yet this profane speaks her "King" heresies before a goddess! Insufferable sacrilege!', she roared. Leviathan reeled her body back and then charged towards the altar with her massive mouth wide opened. She closed her jaws upon the altar with Lunafreya and Kairi still standing on it. Then a golden light shined like a pillar from the Goddess, and with the Oracle crying the Tidemother's other name, a blast of light threw the Goddess of the Seas off the pillar as if she was struck by Titan's fist.
Standing proud with light cloaking her body, Lunafreya stabbed her trident into the ground again. 'I vow the King will prove himself worthy!', she cried with confidence.
The Tidemother raised herself to glower and tower at the two, yet she would not strike again. 'If not, then the Feasting shall begin, and it shall not end until every speck is devoured!', she declared. Leviathan then lets out a roar as lightning boomed from the gather clouds in the sky, her power skyrocketing as she looked at the two.
'So let the covenant be forged. Heaven and Earth, High and Deep, Birth and Return…', she says. Saying all this, tidal waves that reached as high as the airships in the sky surrounded the city, trapping all who dared to remain within her arena.
With Noctis, he ran up the stairs to get high enough to see what was transpiring before he received a phone call from Goofy (they bought everyone a phone after meeting the secretary) and answered. 'Noct! Prompto's heading your way now!'. 'What? Wait a second, what about you and Donald?', Noctis questioned as he reached the top.
'We'll wait for him, there was only room for two!', answered the captain. The call then shifted to Prompto who shouted: 'Noct! JUMP!'. 'W-what!?', Noctis said as he reached the rendezvous point. 'No time for questions just DO IT!'.
Trusting in his friend, Noctis used one of the stone benches to step onto the stone railing and then leaped off it with a yell.
As the prince fell, he suddenly landed on something that was speeding into the air and when he looked, it is being piloted by Prompto, sporting a grin mixing with excitement and fear. 'What the hell is this supposed to be!?', Noctis asked Prompto and he zoomed. 'A little ride we "borrowed" from the Niffs! It's gonna help us get close!', Prompto explained quickly as they flew towards the serpent of the sea.
They flew through a neighborhood and its streets as a small watery form of the Leviathan flew towards them. Noctis summoned the Blade of the Mystic and blocked its watery jaws before slicing it in half mouth to end. As Prompto flew them out of the neighborhood while Noctis struck down more of the watery clones of the Goddess, soon they reached the astral. 'LOOK OUT!', Noctis shouted as Prompto nearly drove them into her mouth.
Prompto yelled and quickly turned them as hard as he could to escape becoming the first meal the Goddess had had in however long she slept. Up high just reach the Goddess' face, Noctis summoned his sword and with one more wish of good luck from his best friend, Noctis warp struck to the Goddess.
Prompto quickly escaped with only a few watery serpents on his tail, leaving Noctis to face the Goddess alone. Standing on her blue skins right below her eye, Noctis cried: 'Leviathan! I need your power!'.
Despite the desperation in his voice, the Goddess refused to hear his pleas as she threw him off her head, throwing the prince back into the ruined city. Noctis slammed onto a rooftop, bouncing off it and tumbled down onto an awning and then fell to the street with a thud. Gasping from the shock of the pain and disorientating the attack, he rolled onto his back to catch his breath before he stumbled back onto his feet, glaring at the water monster.
Over to Kairi and Lunafreya, the latter still trying to beseech the Goddess to lend the King of Kings her power while Kairi just watched helplessly. She attempted to heal the Oracle, but the woman refused her aid, stating she would need to conserve her magic for the battles ahead of them despite the agony she endured.
Kairi looked behind them to see black ink holes starting to pool around the pathway leading to the altar they stood on. Slowly neo-shadows began to pull themselves out of the darkness. Lunafreya turned to see them with a gasp, but Kairi quickly stepped in front of her, Oathkeeper in hand. 'Leave them to me, you look out for Noct', Kairi yelled. Kairi ran down the steps and slashed two shadows that tried to rush her, meeting Oathkeeper for a moment before oblivion.
When she cleaved a shadow in half, the princess saw an empire ship floating towards the Goddess, preparing to fire those lines to anchor the beast down. After what Ignis told her about their confrontation with the Titan, against something more lithe and thinner like the Goddess those lines could potentially accomplish the empire's task at hand.
Then two slashes ran from one corner of the airship and one straight down into the middle of the ship. The machine fell apart as it was coated with explosions and flames, a single entity leaped off it and onto a building nearby.
Kairi looked to see Sora standing on that building, keyblade in hand in what she believed was his "Second Form", the color palates reflecting his second clothes from his previous journey. With his keyblade glowing in light, he leaps into the air, covering plenty of feet to hop-scotch his way to the other airships.
Everyone was doing their part, they could do this…
Affirming the promise to Lunafreya, Kairi stared down the heartless as she held Oathkeeper in both hands, and charged forth…
The battle had truly begun.
A/N: Would you believe me if I said I struggled with the conversation with Luna and Kairi? Yeah, you probably would.
First, massive, MASSIVE thanks to VashTheStampede0409, not only has he helped me with the conversation between our two girls, but he's also helped come up with another idea for the future so HUGE thanks to him!
Lunafreya being a princess of light was suggested by keybladelight. It fits don't you think? I know KH technically should have the news one but seeing as we only know there's four so far, we're free to guess who the other one is! Answers:
Question from Guest Isa:
Cid is already aware of other worlds long before the others screwed up, that'll be covered later. But yes, I should have phrased that a little better. Sorry.
Also can't answer the Iggy question. You'll have to wait and see.
My questions:
Q1: Did you like the conversation between the two?
Q2: Do you agree Lunafreya could be a Princess of Light?
Q3: What are you looking forward to most in this little arc?
Q4: Which character do you wanna see more in the next chapter?
Q5: Are you excited for the fight?
As always everyone, thanks for reading this! Stay awesome but most importantly stay safe!
